Paint sealant options
 

I'm picking up a new vehicle soon and will be getting a clear bra installed. Before fall hits I'm looking to get an exterior detail job... Washed, clay barred and paint sealant applied. I'm attracted to paint sealants over carnauba waxes because they last longer (4-6 months vs 2-3 months), and I like the idea of taking my car in only twice a year to get detailed. Unfortunately I don't have the space at home or the time to do the work my self so I am looking for a local detailer that does great work and hopefully won't break the bank. Any reccomendations?

I picked up some Jeff's werkstat acrylic jet spray from Ken/911fanatic/autowerkesexclusive
I like it, the whole car is done in 20 mins, and applying another layer provides even more protection

Go get the detail done at Ken's - 911Fanatic on RS, and http://autowerkesexclusive.com/. Great guy, and tops in my book.

If you don't want to travel that far, Showroom Auto Spa ought to be pretty good as well for their paint protection package.

How long does it typically last? I'm looking for a new sealant as well, one that will last up to 6 months?

I was looking to try EX-P but a lot of people have said it doesn't last as long as advertised. In fact most sealants don't, but what would outlast the group?

The great thing about buying off ken is that he's used, and likes everything that he sells.

He told me the acrylic jett will last 6 months, if you apply 2 coats. Totally worth it IMO for 40 mins of your time, as opposed to 2 hours waxing

Or he could go with Auto Balm, which has similar endurance to 2 coats of AJT, and is pretty much touted as a miracle product especially if you have dark-colored cars.

Autobalm works great, but it's really finicky to apply. I wouldn't recommend it to everybody.

the site is actually http://www.autowerkesexclusive.com/ ...

you can always try the Klasse twins or optimum opti seal

I have personally seen 2 coats of Werkstat Acrylic Jett Trigger last 6 months as mentioned. Its dead easy to use and you can add as many layers as you like. Last winter I put 2 coats of EXP on a clients F350 that sat outside all winter and after 5 months it was still beading. AutoBalm is very good but as xfactor said, it can be finicky but I think the results are worth it. Its supposed to last longer than Colli 476. Two coats of Blackfire All Finish Paint Protection should last around 4-5 months. Duragloss 105 is supposed to last 12 months but I tell people 6 to be safe. Autoglyms Super Resin Polish topped with Extra Gloss Protection will give you close to six months as well.

Can any of these products be applied by hand? I'm not a hardcore detailer like some of you guys, so I don't have a polisher. I don't wash my car as often in the Winter, so looking for something that will hold up against the salt, rain, snow, ice, etc.

I think most of those are hand-applied, with the exception of Duragloss 105? Not totally sure ,but AJT and Auto Balm is hand-applicable for sure.

They are all applied by hand. I hate using a machine to apply LSPs.

Recommend me something for white paint?

Autobalm looks great, and Duragloss 105 looks great

Any sealant will look good on white. A great combo is Duragloss 501 followed by Duragloss 105. Really shiny. Alternatively, Werkstat Acrylic Jett or Colli 476 will give it a nice warm glow.

im a "2 bucket wash" kind of guy but want to know if using a coin/wand wash will damage my paint. if i start off with the pre-rinse setting, move on to the soap setting and then rinse, will my scratch my paint.

I'm using DG105. Easy to apply, easy to wipe off, cheap and lasts a long time. I usually put sealant every few months and the beading is great.

If you use their wand you will most definately scratch your paint. If you just use the wand to soap and rinse you'll be ok but it probably won't remove much. Periodically using the touchless ( ESSO only ) is ok as long as you keep your sealant topped up.

i was in a pinch today and couldnt wash at home (in my apartments loading bay) so i headed down to the coin wash with my own supplies. i brought my own car shampoo, bucket, mits and towels. i popped in a toonie and used wand on the "pre-rinse" setting to loosen the dirt and then filled up my bucket on the "rinse" setting, added my shampoo and away i went. when i was done washing i popped in another toonie and used the "rinse" setting to wash away all the suds. i tried to keep the wand a couple feet away from the paint at all times, when i was done i whipped out my "absorber" drying towel and finished off.

911fanatic, do you think that my hand/coin car wash method is paint friendly?

Yes. Thats what I do in the winter as well. Bring my own stuff and use their warm water! Just don't do it during peak periods. The owners get all pissy when they see you tying up their bays and not putting money in the machine.

Just want to tell everyone that Werkstat Acrylic Jett works GREAT! Used it after the Menzerna Super Finish and it was super easy to apply and the paint became even slicker!